Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 14, 1990

LOT 331

Johan Kâsseborer, Ulm. Circa 1650.

Rare square table clock with hour striking and alarm. GiItmetal case with concave mouldings engraved with summer flowers on the top border. Glazed sides and hinged baseplate, similarly engraved on the interior, with cast auricular scrollwork feet, the bell retained by a strap. Silver chapter-ring with engraved Roman numerals. Concentric giIt-metal alarm ring. Florally embossed silver spandrels. Original blued steel "beetle" pattern hour hand. Minute hand added. Square gilt movement with turned baluster pillars, ratchet wheel set-up and steel end piece, fusee with chain. Verge escapement with Iater plain three arm gilt brass balance, spring and regulator. English type cock with pierced and engraved Iater steel end piece. Foliate pierced and engraved gate, with similarly engraved and gilt countwheel on the backplate. Stop-wheel replaced. Engraved strike and alarm hammers. Signed on the backplate. In good condition. Dim. 12.8 x 9.7 cm. This clock was converted to balance spring from bristle regulator and a minute hand added in the early eighteenth century. The alteration was well carried out with minimum disturbance of the movement. It is interesting to note that the replacement balance fitted at the time was made from the backplate of an "oignon" watch, and stil) bears the signature J.F. Dreuz A Paris. A fine astronomical masterpiece clock by the same maker is in the Time Museum, Rockford, Illinois.